Army nurse readiness instrument: psychometric evaluation and field administration.

The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to estimate the level of individual readiness among U.S. Army nurses. This study constitutes phase II of congressionally sponsored research to establish the degree to which Army nurses are prepared for the expectations of deployment. An expert panel established the validity of the initial readiness questionnaire. Changes were then incorporated into the first Readiness Estimate and Deployability Index (READI) questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest techniques assessed multiple reliabilities from pilot administrations. The READI was refined based on the results. Analysis of field administrations of the revised READI to three separate groups of nurses replicated earlier reliability results. Principle component analyses appear to support the hypothesized dimensional structure underlying questionnaire attitude items. The READI produced psychometrically stable ratings and results with great utility for the Army and potential adaptation for other military services.

The Federal Nursing Service Award. Individual readiness in nursing.

Individual readiness is critical for effective nursing in deployed environments. Although readiness is routinely tracked and reported, a study of its complexity among federal nurses was needed. An inductive research approach clarified the concept of individual readiness. Representing a broad range of deployment experience, focus group members developed a definition of the concept and identified six components: clinical competency; operational competency; survival skills; personal/psychosocial/physical readiness; leadership and administrative support; and group integration and identification. The findings form an overdue conceptual basis for future measurement of this important dimension of federal nursing.

Multidimensional outcomes in intravenous access device maintenance: a pilot study.

The nursing and pharmacology literature of 1988 to 1992 generally encouraged a change in nursing practice with regard to maintenance of peripheral intravenous access devices in adults. Although recommendations were based on data, methodological limitations in many studies prevented enthusiastic change from heparinized saline to saline alone. The article describes the quality journey of one community hospital toward practice change in this frequently performed patient care procedure. The success of the change is attributed to pilot outcomes work in the regional tertiary medical center, which demonstrated the credibility of the proposed change. Four organizational processes supported the scientifically based quality change: interdisciplinary efforts of the community hospital instituting the change, a test on one nursing unit, positive recognition of staff undergoing practice change, and publication and dissemination of the clinical procedure change.

Pilot testing an independent study series on research.

The Army Nurse Corps developed The Critical Reading of Research Publications (CRRP) program, an independent study series for small groups. The goal of the program is to improve patient care by providing a means for nurses to learn basic research principles in a self-paced format, while reading and discussing nursing research articles of clinical relevance. Continuing education (CE) approval of the program required pilot testing to evaluate its ease of use, effectiveness, and allocation of CE contact hours. The purpose of pilot testing was to improve both the participants' experience and the administrative management of the CE program. The constructive feedback received by potential consumers resulted in incremental improvement of an innovative educational program in nursing research.

Understanding research articles. A pilot study of critical reading of research publications.

Developing nurses' ability to understand and evaluate research articles for potential application to practice is a challenge for staff development professionals. Articles are laden with difficult terminology and may seem too difficult. Yet valuable insights for improving patient care rest within the literature. In this article, the authors describe an instructional tool, designed in the federal nursing sector, called Critical Reading of Research Publications (CRRP). The CRRP is an independent study program that helps small groups of nurses increase research understanding while reading relevant articles of clinical interest.

Nursing research instruments: pathway to resources.

Measurement of nursing phenomena involves locating and obtaining instruments that are reliable, valid, and feasible for use with an intended sample. Beginning with a clear conceptualization of the problem and delineation of the measurement framework, the process of finding and legally obtaining and using appropriate instruments can proceed. Resources for instruments are so numerous today that it is especially important to insure that valuable resources are not overlooked. Computerized resources offer comprehensive and efficient searches at low cost. The persistent nurse researcher who is aware of how to find and use the many resources available can select from among the numerous alternatives to measure nursing phenomena. The U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 has been shaped over the years by court cases and committee work to protect original work, including nursing research instruments. Knowledge of the provisions of copyright law may minimize the danger of unintentional violation while obtaining research instruments.